Leadership

Meet Our Leadership

Featured

Co-founder Elizabeth “Liz” Huntley is an accomplished litigation attorney, dedicated child advocate, author and lecturer. She currently practices law at Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC in Birmingham. Liz speaks to groups of students and educators nationwide, most often about her remarkable life story detailed in her memoir More Than A Bird. Her story has inspired thousands of students across the nation as she continues to devote her time and energy toward bringing hope through education.

President, Co-Founder

Co-Founder

Drayton Nabers, Jr.

Co-Founder

Co-founder Drayton Nabers Jr. is a champion for the cause of building character in young people. He served as CEO of Protective Life Corporation, Finance Director for the State of Alabama, and Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He is the former Director at the Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership at Samford University, which promotes student development and enriches teaching and scholarship through engaged learning. He is the author of two books on ethics and leadership: The Case for Character and The Hidden Key to Happiness and a book on character culture in schools titled Priceless: A Life That Counts for Good.

Co-Founder

In Memoriam

Featured

Past Executive Director

Dr. Jodi Newton

Past Executive Director

Jodi was admired for her role in advancing P-12 character education and collaborating with character-focused leaders nationally and internationally. She was the executive director of The Hope Institute from 2019-2022, helping build the organization from early in its existence and guiding the development of its program, curriculum and staff. She also served as professor of educational leadership in Samford’s Orlean Beeson School of Education since 2008 where she fulfilled roles as associate dean of the School of Education, director of doctoral programs, and interim chair of the Department of Teacher Education. Before her time at Samford, Jodi was the superintendent of Homewood City Schools for more than 10 years. She found great joy in helping shape leaders in Alabama education. Her tremendous impact not only at The Hope Institute and Samford University, but also on the field of education and the greater community, will continue to be felt for years to come.

Past Executive Director